Finding Your “Thing”: A Thought Experiment That Helped Me Discover Purpose

When I was searching for clarity in my life and work, I developed a simple checklist or thought experiment that helped me find my path. While this approach worked for me, I’m not claiming it’s the only way. You may have different methods or categories to guide you.

Here are three prompts that I found transformative when trying to “find my thing”:

1. What activity makes time disappear for you?
   Think of something you do where time is no longer a factor, and you become fully immersed in the experience. Some refer to this state as “flow.” When you’re in flow, you lose yourself in the process because it’s something you naturally enjoy and excel at.
2. What brings you genuine and repeatable happiness?
   Ask yourself: What activity makes you happy at a deep, fundamental level? Can this sense of happiness be repeated 99.9% of the time? If the answer is yes, this is likely something you’re intrinsically passionate about.
3. Can this passion generate income that meets your current and future needs?
   While this step might be a bit contentious, especially depending on your life situation, it was crucial in my assessment. As someone with a family, a mortgage, and long-term financial goals, I had to determine if my passion had the potential to generate income that aligned with my expectations.

My Personal Journey

Here’s how I answered these questions for myself:

1. What makes time disappear for me?
   I’m deeply engaged in construction, property, and entrepreneurship. These broad categories consistently spark my interest and energy.
2. What brings me happiness?
   Creating something of value from things that are currently undervalued or don’t exist at all. I find immense joy in bringing ideas to life and transforming potential into reality.
3. Can it generate income?
   Yes! My passion has translated into revenue through teaching others my strategies, real estate renovations, and property development.

Why Finding Your Thing Matters

In my experience, I’ve often jumped straight into starting something new without first stepping back to contemplate or configure my next steps. Unsurprisingly, this approach often left me feeling unfulfilled.

As Richard Leider highlights in his book The Power of Purpose:

“Without purpose, we eventually lose our way. We live without the true joy in life and work. Until we make peace with our purpose, we will never discover fulfillment in our work or contentment with what we have.”

This insight resonates deeply with me and reinforces why taking time to find your thing is so important.

Conclusion

If you’re feeling stuck, consider reflecting on the three questions I shared. They can provide a framework to help you uncover what truly drives you. Remember, this process is personal, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The key is to pause, explore, and define what brings you joy, purpose, and alignment in life and work.

Have you gone through a similar thought experiment? I’d love to hear about your journey in the comments below!